43 yrs old
one thing I've never been able to do (well, other than a triple lutz sowkow)
is put on the muscle. Most sports I've played have been endurance oriented so I have always been a bit of a beanpole

3 years ago, I had to give up long distance running due to injuries. After stopping, my weight started to skyrocket!
I've remained active but I have this layer of fat obsuring my once perpetual 6 pack. I've gotten bigger (relative to my previous stickman figure) but without definition.

My goal is to use the contest as motivation to finally achieve that life long dream to have both muscle mass and definition.

Everyone starts somewhere JW! When I started lifting about 2 3/4 years ago I could only bench about 70lbs, but I have recently pressed 292lb. No need to worry though - I don't bench any more, so you will overtake me in no time

jonathan wrote:Everyone starts somewhere JW! When I started lifting about 2 3/4 years ago I could only bench about 70lbs, but I have recently pressed 292lb. No need to worry though - I don't bench any more, so you will overtake me in no time

Jonathan

Thanks Jonathan

Let the record show.... JW can outbench Jonathan!!!! (well in my dreams anyway)

but thanks for the encouragement. I should post the amounts anyway to ensure I'm progressing

oh man! fatigue has set in. not because of the workouts though. My 15 year old dog has woken me up at 4:30 a.m. for the past three nights!
Today it caught up to me. I just couldn't get out of bed to do my workout.
did some light stretching this morning.
I think I'll do the lowerbody workout this evening.
(don't really want to miss a day)

Put in 30 minutes on the nordic track this morning.
Legs still a bit weak from yesterday, so I backed off the intensity a bit.

I have always heard that it is very hard (or impossible) to build muscle mass AND lose body fat
In my situation, the only place I have excess bodyfat is in the midsection (lower ab region and handles)
Any thoughts on this?
If I keep up with the lifting and 2 cardio sessions a week wouldn't both goals be possible?
btw... my weight has remained pretty stable after 2 weeks. put on some muscle especially in shoulders. Also have moved another belt notch!!